By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK) Prof Charles Esimone, has kicked off the commercialisation of toilets for students of the institution.

He said that the measure is part of efforts to boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the university.

Esimone stated this during the flag-off of UNIZIK Commercial Motor Park, transport services, and hotels.

Others include portable drinking water, molecular and virology lab, block industry, among others.

The flag-off, on Thursday, was part of activities marking the VC’s second year in office, said the facilities would boost the IGR of the institution.

According to him, “The commercial projects would be at no cost to the university as they would be funded by private organisations under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in collaboration with the institution’s business venture and consultancy services.

“My vision is to make the university one of the best ten in Africa and among the best two hundred in the world.”

Esimone also disclosed that the university attracted a grant for the establishment of a urological center at its College of Health Sciences in Nnewi.

Reacting to the new development, a student of the university said the commercialisation of toilet facility would lead students to use buses on the campus to relieve themselves.

He added: “Many students are struggling to survive and forcing them to pay to urinate or defecate will be unfair.

“As a student, I am entitled to make use of the institution’s public facilities at no cost. However, let’s see how it will work when it starts.”